Detail question

[Steve Norris]

Does anyone know the purpose of the hook like device next to the gun travel lock ?

?.....
??????

Regards

Steve

[Stephen White]

Steve, it's a hangover from the redundant deep wading kit. Same as the hooks on the left hull side forward and the channels on the back of the turret. The hooks were used to retain the guy wires supporting the commander's elevated tower.

[Steve Norris]

Thanks Stephen.
I thought it may have been for that but it just looks a rather heavy duty and overly complex shape. I bet some design engineer spent many hours working on that when a simple welded loop would have served the same purpose.
Regards
Steve